Woodworking blog entries tagged with 'mortise pal'

After the last session, I had the outer case and the drawers completed. So I started here..In this session, I hung the drawers and made a floating base. So I ended here:..Steps1. Add slide hardware to inside of case by marking and then using spacer2. Add slide hardware to drawers3. Made templates for curved stretchers and cabriole legs4. Cut leg, stretcher and float base stock5. Cut loose tenon joinery6. Cut curved stretchers7. Cut cabriole legs8. Cut floating base stretchers9. Fini...

When last we left off the bad dogs had eaten my bench and I had just replaced the arms. Assembly was pretty simple. Just slop some glue in the holes and on the tennons and clamp it up. I cut a bow in the top of the arm rests on the bandsaw and a rough curve on the fronts. Then I got to try out my new Rotex to see if they are as good as they claim to be. They are, it is, but I digress. In full disclosure, however, I did use my mini PC belt sander to due some of the heavy work. Still the...

Now that the dissection is complete it is time to cut the mortises, or is it morti? I’ve been a big fan of the Mortise Pal jig and continue to be. The more I use it the faster I can set it up and adapt it to various situations. Let’s review a couple of notes. Be sure to use the guide bushing that comes with the jig. You may want to use a 5/8”, but the jig’s bushing is slightly larger. It will slide easily in the guide, but unlike the 5/8”, it will produce a...

It is a walk down memory lane I just as soon not take, but it is nice to know you can go back if you have to. Last Fall after taking delivery of our new little cute vicious puppies, I made the mistake of leaving my bench in their puppy pen. I made it out of redwood in 2009 and it proved to be a tasty treat for sharp teeth. Yum! Aaaaaaaargh!
The main damage was to the end of the armrests and there was some damage to the ends of the backrest. I figured I could sand out the backrest,...

In the last session I finished the 10 drawers. Now it is time start on the door. In this session, I:
1. Veneered the door panel2. Cut the rails and styles for the door3. Used loose mortise and tenon joinery for doors4. Cut the tombstone arch5. Assemble door6. Cut mortise for hinges
I started with the main body done.
Session ended with a completed door.
First step was to create the veneered door panel. I used 1/4” maple ply with amboyna burl on the front and mahogany...

I wonder if the Mona Lisa’s smile was a cover up for a mistake. Seems like I’ve gotten pretty good at making mistakes in the shop. Hopefully, I’ve gotten just as good at fixing them.
It wasn’t the Mortise Pal’s fault. I was getting so wrapped up in my photo journalism that I made a common mistake. I lined the centerline of the jig with the wrong line on the target! As you can see from the pictures, instead of lining the jig up on the center I lined it up ...

Curving or wrapping might be better terms. Once again Sketchup is a big help in this process. The plan calls for rounded corners on the footboard so yours truly doesn’t bang his shins on them, or when he does it won’t be a sharp corner. This is also another good example of the versatility and accuracy of the Mortise Pal jig. The Dimension tool in the Sketchup model measured the outside of the two staves 1 7/8” in order to achieve a 2 1/2” inside radius with 1”...

By popular demand. ;) So here’s the finished project with the first coat of stain. I made some modifications to the original plans one of which is the seat height. At 6’5” it is perfect for me, but about an 1” too tall for my wife who’s about 5’8”. The bench is very sturdy and relatively light weight since it is made out of redwood. I imagine it would be much heavier if I had used oak. Like I said before, this was a fun project and not too diffi...

I downloaded the plans for this project from Fine Woodworking and purchased the full-size templates, although I see now that wasn’t necessary. All in all, I think this is a pretty cool and fun project. With the right tools – and isn’t that always the case – it is pretty easy. I’d say maybe intermediate. I was looking for a deck or garden bench design and this really popped off the page. Since I’m pretty tall and have pretty far to fall I don’t li...

I love a plan when it comes together!
So when is woodworking fun? When you can steadily progress through the various steps with ease and accuracy. Yesterday I had a lot of fun cutting mortises with the Mortise Pal. If you’ve seen my review you know I’m a fan and my experience yesterday really confirmed my view.
I watched Charles Neil’s demonstration of Jessem’s Zip Slot Mortise Mill and although I haven’t used that tool, based on the video I’ve...